Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Frederick, MD: $75,115 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Frederick, MD earns a median $75,115/year (≈ $36.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Frederick's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $68,724 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Frederick, Maryland, professionals working as physical therapist assistants are projected to achieve a median annual salary of $75,115 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $70,247 by about 6.93%. The salary range presents diverse opportunities, from $54,313 at the 10th percentile to $101,301 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience, skills, and workplace settings. These salary estimates derive from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price parities, giving a localized perspective on compensation. For aspiring PTAs in Frederick, understanding the productivity expectations—often measured in visits per day—will be essential for maximizing earnings and career growth in a competitive job market.
About the Frederick Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,313 | $26.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,545 | $31.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,115 | $36.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,546 | $42.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,301 | $48.70 |
Median Salary Position
6.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Frederick
In Frederick, MD, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,988 (2026 est.). At $75,115, the local median is 6.93% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Frederick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Frederick Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Frederick median: $75,115/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Frederick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $76,805 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +6.93% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Frederick, MD earn a median of $75,115 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% below the Maryland state average of $76,805.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Frederick has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Frederick, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,115 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,724 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,864
2025 BLS Actual
$73,119
2026 Current Est.
$75,115
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Frederick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,864 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,912 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,521 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,713 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,115 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,166 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Frederick metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $62,864 (2019) to $73,119 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,166 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,302 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Frederick metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,313 – $66,545 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,545 – $75,115 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,115 – $88,546 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,546 – $101,301 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Frederick
Currently, about 15 physical therapist assistants are actively working in the Frederick area, indicating a niche job market with focused demand. However, potential earnings must be weighed against the higher cost of living in Frederick, which has a cost-of-living index of 109.3, indicating a premium compared to the national average. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly larger chains, tend to offer the best compensation, while skilled nursing facilities may pay less due to the impacts of Medicare's 15% reimbursement cuts on PTA-provided services. The pay disparity stems from multiple factors, including varying productivity expectations across settings and the additional compensation opportunity for weekend or PRN work. To enhance their earning potential, physical therapist assistants should consider specializing in areas with greater demand or pursuing additional certifications, particularly those that could qualify them for higher supervision roles or transition to a PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway.
More salary data for Frederick, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Frederick, MD in 2026?
Is Frederick, MD a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Frederick?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Frederick?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $73,119 for physical therapist assistantsin the Frederick metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Frederick is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov